Willis J. Tovey, Sr. 85 of Cedar Springs, died Friday, September 26, 2014 at Metron of Cedar Springs. Willis was born June 18, 1929 in Fremont, Michigan the son of Edward and Kathleen (Boulton) Tovey. He was a 30 year member of the Teamsters Union, enjoyed camping and coaching baseball. Surviving are his wife, Marcella (Hendrickson) whom he married on November 11, 1950; sons, Raymond (Janet), Willis, Jr. (Val), Larry (Diane), and Kenneth; 12 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; sisters, Mary Luce, Helen Hones, Ann Sams, and Rita (Harold) Loveland; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 brothers, and a daughter-in-law, Brenda. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, where a Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday 10:00 am at St. John Paul II Church, Cedar Springs. Rev. Fr. Lam Le celebrant. Interment Graceland Memorial Park, Grand Rapids.

Thomas A. Davis, 86 of Cedar Springs, died Friday, September 26, 2014 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus. Tom was born June 8, 1928 in Muskegon, MI, the son of Joseph and Ruth (Boudin) Davis. He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and had been past commander of the Cedar Springs American Legion. He was a member of Mary Queen of Apostles, Sand Lake. He enjoyed jokes and playing jokes on people, playing cards, and was noted for the pink flamingos in his yard and his ear muffs. Surviving are his wife, Clara; children, Bruce Davis, Nancy Davis, Anthony (Linda) Davis, Donald (E.T.) Davis, Ronald Davis, Laurie Whalen, Mark (Terri) Ritter, Gary (BJ) Ritter; 30 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; special “sisters,” Sandy (Chuck) and Sally Jo (Alan). He was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan; and two grandsons, Jacob and Drew. The family will receive friends Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. A memorial mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at Mary Queen of Apostles, Sand Lake. Rev. Fr. Lam Le celebrant. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Mary Queen of Apostles.

Jameson Roy Mather was born on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 12:20 pm to parents Sean and Stephanie Mather (Mentzer). He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 19.5 inches long. Jameson went to be with his heavenly Father at 12:45 pm the same day. Jameson has given us a lifetime of love during his short time on Earth. Jameson’s paternal grandparents are Jeff and Sandy Mather of Cedar Springs, Michigan and his maternal grandparents are Jim and Kim Mentzer of Overisel, Michigan.

The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation provided a volunteer photographer to capture precious images of Jameson in the hospital. In lieu of flowers, we would be pleased to have you support their mission to help other grieving parents through their remembrance photography at nowilaymedowntosleep.org. A funeral service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Overisel Reformed Church 4706 142nd Avenue, Holland, MI 49423. Reverend André Batt will be officiating. Burial will be in Overisel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 am prior to the service at the church. To sign an on-line registry or leave a memory please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com.

Arrow Danford Peters, 94, of Brunswick, Missouri died on September 18, 2014 at the Brunswick Nursing Home. Graveside services will be held at Elliott Grove Cemetery, Brunswick, Missouri, Monday, September 22, 2014 at 1:30 P.M. Reverend Jonathan Rice and Reverend Bill Gamber officiating. He was born on May 6, 1920 at Laingsburg, Michigan, the son of Daniel and Bernice Miller Peters. He was married Dorthy Jean Bell on January 22, 1941 at Laingsburg, Michigan. Dorthy preceded him in death on July 5, 2014. He and Dorthy were former residents of Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Cedar Springs, Michigan. He had worked as an automobile mechanic for several automobile dealerships. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed gardening. He was a member of the Brunswick Baptist Church and had taught young adult Sunday School classes in several churches over the years. He is survived by his daughter, Ruth Rice and her husband Herbert of Brunswick, Missouri; three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister and two half-brothers. Memorials may be made to: The United Indian Mission for the Broken Arrow Ranch, and may be left at or mailed to: Breshears Memorial Chapel, 207 W. Broadway, Brunswick, MO 65236.

M. Jean Pratt Chulski, 91 of Cedar Springs, passed into life eternal on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at Clark Retirement Community. Jean was born April 28, 1923 in Courtland Township, MI the daughter of Eugene and Jennie (Robson) Benham. Her parents, brothers, Nan and Leon; sisters, Marion Ward, Marjorie Mulford, Marie Opperman Cain and Jane Rice, as well as nephew, Gilbert Rice preceded her in death. Jean attended Benham School and graduated from Cedar Springs High School Class of 1941. She married a south Courtland boy, Ross Pratt in July of 1946 and he preceded her in 1976. Ross and Jean had four children, Jan (Duane) Ellis, John (Patty) Pratt, Mary (Jack) Tinholt, Joan (Dennis) Karn; nine grandchildren and their spouses; five great grandchildren. After Ross’s death, she married Karl Chulski in 1982 and he preceded her in 2002. She is also survived by his children, Lois (Harrison) Brigham, Karl (Maria) Chulski, Mark (Val) Chulski; Karl’s grandchildren and great grandchildren; numerous cherished nieces, nephews and friends. Jean was a longtime member (66 years) of the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Her funeral will be held Monday 11:00 am at the United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main St, Cedar Springs. Pastor Steve Lindeman officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, Clark Retirement Community or Emmanuel Hospice.

Bruce O. Smith 74 of Cedar Springs, died Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at his home. Bruce was born April 25, 1940 in Lakeview, Michigan the son of Olin and Lucille (Christensen) Smith. He was a millwright and had retired from Federal Mogul (Sparta Foundry) in 2000. He was a member of the Hungerford Saddle Club and the Flat River Tractor Pullers. Surviving are his wife, Sharon, whom he married on Oct. 20, 1961; sons, Scott A. Smith and Randy B. Smith; granddaughter, Abigaile; brother, Dennis Smith; several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice, 4500 Breton SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.

Leonard E. Gould, 89 of Cedar Springs, died Friday, September 12, 2014 at home. Leonard was born April 27, 1925 in Courtland Township, Michigan the son of Forrest and Rose (Schumacher) Gould. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a Farmall tractor mechanic, heating and cooling serviceman and had been assistant chief for the City of Cedar Springs Fire Department. Leonard was a lifetime member, over 65 years, of the Glen Hill American Legion Post, Cedar Springs. Surviving are his wife, Thelma (Ball), whom he married on June 18, 1948; children, Beth A. Gould-Phelps, Bruce E. (Deborah) Gould, Douglas A. Gould; 10 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; brother, Ralph Gould; sister-in-law, Adeline Rusche; brother-in-law, George LeValley; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Marjorie Gould, Marian Smith, Marie Keene; and a grandson, Derek Gould in 1980. The family greeted friends Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service was held Wednesday 11:00 am at Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church. Pastor Robert Eckert officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Courtland Oakfield United Methodist Church. God Bless Our Troops!